Jajpur Police Bust Major Burglary Network; 14 Arrested Under ‘Operation Nightsweeper’

Jajpur: In a significant breakthrough, Jajpur Police have successfully dismantled a large inter-district burglary network under Operation Nightsweeper. Acting on the guidance of the Hon’ble DIG, Central Range, and the directions of the SP, Jajpur, police teams arrested 14 individuals involved in a series of house break-ins across the district over the past six months.

According to police, the accused listed from Sl. No. 1 to 10 had formed a dedicated gang that targeted homes under the Dharmasala, Kuakhia, Brahmabarada, Chandikhole and Balichandrapur police station limits. Since March 2025, the gang had been stealing gold, silver jewellery and cash from multiple villages. Upon receiving reliable intelligence, the SP directed the formation of multiple special teams to track and apprehend the burglars as well as the receivers involved in disposing of the stolen items.

The principal accused—identified as Mehboob, Guro and Aman—regularly visited the jewellery shop of Janmejaya Sahoo @ Kanha at Balichandrapur Bazar, where they handed over stolen ornaments. Kanha would then transport these items to the jewellery shop of Amal Seth at Nayasadak, Cuttack. There, Amal and his associates melted the jewellery into raw gold and paid the burglars in cash on a commission basis. The offenders distributed the money among themselves based on their role in each crime.

Police have linked the gang to 30 burglary cases registered between January and November 2025 across Dharmasala, Jenapur, Balichandrapur, Brahmabarada, Badchana and Kuakhia police station limits. Verification of their involvement in additional cases is still underway. The arrested individuals will be forwarded to the Court of JMFC, Chandikhole. Three accused—Lalloo, Aman and Mehboob—remain absconding.

A significant cache of stolen property has been recovered during the operation. Police seized 225.09 grams of gold, including 15 gold coins and melted gold pieces, along with 2.390 kilograms of silver jewellery such as toe rings, finger rings, lockets, bracelets, children’s ornaments, silver coins, and idols. Three vehicles used by the gang— a Mahindra Bolero, a Honda Hornet, and a Pulsar 150—were also seized.

Additionally, authorities recovered 13 Android phones and 2 keypad phones, ₹5,90,500 in cash, and several weapons including a chopper, bill hook, swords, a bhujali and chilli powder. House-breaking tools such as a screwdriver, wrench, crowbar, hammer and plier were also found in possession of the accused.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests and recoveries may follow as efforts to trace the absconding accused continue.